Following the premiere last Thursday, A Man Like Sam is a short documentary that sticks with you. It follows Sam Mugabi, a Ugandan man living with Down Syndrome. And live he does! His life revolves around family and work, not letting his condition stop him from making a living or dreaming big dreams. Upasuaji International is an organization that is integral to supporting people living with Down Syndrome, and Sam works as an Office assistant in the Kampala branch. Despite any stigma he may face using public means, he diligently goes to work everyday and that is truly the part that is awe inspiring. Directed by celebrated actor, filmmaker and musician, Maurice Kirya, this film uses calm, beautiful shots to introduce us to the life and times of Sam Mugabi.
The mothers featured in the documentary shine as pillars of the children who are born with Down Syndrome. From Sam’s mom, who put down the teacher hat to be his full time caretaker, to Lyndsay Balamuka who expresses some of the hard to fathom ideas around raising a child with special needs. Diana Mutoni works with Sam at Upasuaji, and her story of raising and eventually burying her daughter born with Down Syndrome brought a tear to many in the room. The sacrifice is undeniable. In any case a child is a big commitment many choose to make, but one with a special need like Down Syndrome can be even more engrossing.
One of the unexpected takeaways from the documentary was the fact that Down Syndrome affects the heart as well, with many having to undergo surgery in order to live longer. Most of what we know about the condition is what we see visibly, but there is so much more that goes into living with the condition.
“Sam has helped me personally dream bigger because Sam has dreams and his dreams are valid. Everytime I sit with him, I’m like, why am I thinking so small, why am I dreaming so small?” Diana Mutoni muses. Sam is determined to live a full life, and that just fills the room with hope. He has very vivid dreams of becoming a husband and father, including all the details of his future wedding. It really was one of those moments where you look back and examine the things we typically take for granted.
This film calls us to reassess the stereotypes we grew up with about people with Down Syndrome, but also a deeper caution is hinted at, that one day you could wake up and are a parent to a child with Down Syndrome. Will you be their loving support, or will you neglect them? Give them away? Everyone prays for a fully healthy child, but what happens when your bundle of joy comes with extra conditions? The hope is that the love will not be conditional.
The film is available to watch on youtube, so use this link to take a peek into Sam’s life as well. https://youtu.be/Ghue3OoDTcs?si=YLYWxoAnU7ZPmtjq
